Chapter 19

Dusk.

The light above them was the only thing that stopped them from succumbing to the approaching darkness. Thomas was the first to wake up, his crystal blue eyes taking in his surroundings. He took a few minutes to adjust to the bright light – before looking around him.

He was on a massive bed in a massive room, a hall possibly. It was lavishly designed; massive red curtains covered the windows around him. A chandelier – full of crystals and gold loomed above them– their light source. Around the room were odd bits of furniture- old paintings, plush sofas, extravagant lamps – everything looked expensive.

Well, almost everything.

To the right, there was a white door that looked awfully battered. It was a missing a handle, and several chunks of it were missing. Thomas could see through the door to the dimly lit hallway on the other side.

He saved the most beautiful sight till last.

Cuddled up to his left side, lay Teresa. Her eyes were still closed and her chest rose and fell gently. She looked angelic; he could have stared at her for a lifetime – had he not been interrupted.

Footsteps came suddenly from outside the door, and Thomas relaxed when he saw Chancellor Paige's face through the cracks. The lady beckoned Thomas to come to her. He looked towards Teresa and smiled before gently slipping out of bed. He dragged his feet towards the door, the fatigue almost too strong to cope with. Thomas then quietly slipped out of the room, following Paige to a safe distance away from the room.

"Hello dear, everything okay?" the lady asked, almost too politely.

"Yeah just…my minds a little fuzzy"

"Oh, you must be still hung-over then!"

"Come again?"
"You and Teresa got drunk last night, the two of you were up till gone 5am, I think you fell quiet around 7am. You've been sleeping since then"
"Fuck…where are we?"
"My house"
"Oh, why?"
"You really don't remember? I picked you and Teresa up from that paradise because I had something to discuss with you"

"That was no fucking paradise"

"You're right, I'm sorry. I know the events there have been horrific"

"Wait a minute – how do you know?"

"Erm….I er, you told me last night! You must have forgotten"
"Oh, I see"

"Apart from that though, how has your time been since you escaped to there?"
"It's been rough – I won't lie. We lost a lot of people that day and rebuilding our moral wasn't easy. I'm just glad that Teresa has been with me for all that time. It's 3 years today, and I couldn't wish for someone better to stand by my side through everything. The maze, the scorch and all that followed – she's been there for all of it"

"Stop, you'll make me sick"
"Sorry. So are you going to take us back there?"
"Yes of course, you missing your friends?"
"Yes"

"I'm sorry that Brenda killed your friend Aris by the way, that was a tragic thing to witness"

"I don't even know how that happened, I think she was trying to stop us from leaving or something"

"Crazy though right?"
"She's always been fucking crazy. I'll never forget the way she treated me back in the scorch when she was with the girls from group B. I could have died and she didn't even care. She's tried to make it up to me on numerous occasions but I see no reason to care. Teresa is the only girl I care about now that Sonya's gone too. Minho is my best friend though – I miss him"

"Hmm"
"What?"
"Nothing, I was just acknowledging what you said with a hmm"

"Right. Didn't you say you needed to talk to me?"

"You know what Thomas. It seems like it can wait, why don't you go and spend time with your girlfriend? It's your anniversary and her birthday – don't keep her waiting"

"Alright"

"And by the way, put some fucking clothes on will you? I'll be picking you up this time tomorrow to take you back"
Thomas hadn't even noticed that he was only in his boxers. He nodded to the lady and span on his heels, heading back towards the room he had come from.

Paige watched him walking off, holding back her wicked smile as she began to think to herself.

Well Thomas. Looks like everything went to plan. In your eyes – I've done nothing wrong. You completely hate Brenda and completely love Teresa.

You're in my control now.

"Hey Sweetie, you alright?" Thomas called out – noticing Teresa had woken up and was sitting on the couch in the far left corner. She appeared to be staring at her lap – her back to him.

She ignored him.

"Teresa? Come get your birthday present my dear!"
She ignored him again.

Thomas' face contorted with confusion. He made his way across the large room. He was a few meters away from the back of her before she finally spoke.

"Move another inch and I swear I will put a knife through your throat"

"What? Come on baby don't kid with me"
"I'm not kidding Tommy, don't move"

"Uh…okay. Why?"

Before he could hear her answer, Teresa span round and leapt over the sofa. She stormed towards him and stopped an inch away from his face. Her warm breath spreading across his face. Thomas went to speak but Teresa held a finger to his lips.

"Shush"
"Er?"
"Of course I'm joking, hehe. God you're gullible!"
"I…huh"

Teresa laughed even more, before leaning forward and gently kissing him on the lips.
"I love you Tommy, happy anniversary"
"I love you too, you twat. Happy birthday! Oh and anniversary"
"I can't decide which one I'm more excited about"
"Well, I think we drank enough to celebrate last night"

"We drank last night?"
"Yes, we've been sleeping all day"
"Oh"
"That was my reaction"
"What time is it?"
"Erm…8pm I think"
"What! Tommy why didn't you wake me up we've wasted the whole fucking day!"

"No we haven't. We were up till early this morning drinking s-"
"Tommy, do you remember any of last night?"
"No…"
"Then it doesn't count you stupid fuck"

"Whoa baby, why are you getting so stressed? At least we spent the whole day in bed together"
"Yeah cause that's something to be excited about…"
"I think it's perfect"
"Yeah? Do your best to explain how"
"Because whilst this day hasn't been productive, we've spent every minute of it so far in each others company – the majority of it being in each others arms – that's all that matters"

Teresa began to say something else, but then stopped and began to smile.

"You're right, I'm sorry. It's just a big day every year you know, the more of it I can remember the better"

"I understand. We've still got 4 hours of it left my dear. How about we make it a bit more memorable?"
"Erm. I want my present first"
"Close your eyes then"
She did so, and Thomas leaned in and gave her a soft yet passionate kiss. He held her close as he did so, gently running his hands from her shoulders to her lower back. After a while, he pulled away.

"Why did you stop?"
"I feel guilty that I can't get you a real present. Like a nice necklace or a pretty bracelet… I want to be able to do something special for you"
"Thomas, we live in a world that is completely broken down. I couldn't possibly expect you to get me something like that. Besides, I love your kisses – that's a good enough present for me. Now, how about we start making our day a bit more memorable like you said?"

Teresa looked down Thomas' body, almost too happy to already have him half naked. She slotted her hand into his, and led him over to the bed. She pulled the covers backwards and pulled him towards her before crashing down on the bed.

"Tommy?"
"Yes dear?"
"You said you wanted to do something special – right?"
"Well yeah"
"Do me then"

Thomas laughed, before pulling the covers over both of their heads.